"Floki and you are too alike, like the two outmost wing-feathers of the raven," Ragnar says. "Always opposing each other, but without them, the raven couldn't fly."

He closes his big hand around Athelstan's smaller one, balling them both up into a combined fist. His other hand now encircles Athelstan's wrist.

"If we didn't consider you a free and equal man, the sacrifice wouldn't even have been considered for you. But with time, you'll have the visible token of it. Learn to fight, first."